Canada’s 2011 Census No Longer Fully Mandatory; You Choose To Answer

However, experts and officials believe this will result in inadequate information

By Victoria Chau, Staff Writer

“Despite the claims that no one should ever be forced to answer questions if they choose not to, the information collected from the long-form portion has been essential in determining socio-economic trends, such as the level of education and income in a certain geographic area.”

via rosalita54.wordpress.com

Students, young professionals, entrepreneurs, whatever we may be, for the most part, we don’t tend to put up a big fuss about the government census.  And yet, we don’t realize that the census, which pops up every five years, plays an integral role in shaping the society we live in.  The data collected by Statistics Canada from the census is used in deciding when and where new schools should be built; if the local transportation system is sufficient enough for the surrounding population; what areas need subsidized housing for seniors, and the list goes on.

So the main things you need to know is that each time the census is conducted, every household receives a short-form census which asks the personal details, such as address, age, gender, marital status and native language.  Previous to this year’s census, one in every five Canadian households also received a long-form census that had to be answered (punishable by fine or imprisonment) which contained questions about citizenship, ethnic origin, religion, education, employment income, housing, etc.

Now, what’s the big deal with the census for this year?  Well, it’s changed in one very important aspect: Canadians can now refuse – if they are selected – to complete the long-form portion of the census for whatever reason.  It can be whether you believe the questions asked are too intrusive, or maybe if you’re just plain lazy and don’t want to do it.  This year, one in every three households, instead of five, will be receiving the long-form portion with the option to complete it.

[pullquote]Despite the claims that no one should ever be forced to answer questions if they choose not to, the information collected from the long-form portion has been essential in determining socio-economic trends, such as the level of education and income in a certain geographic area.[/pullquote]

The change came on the heels of debate about whether or not the mandatory long-form portion was an invasion of Canadians’ privacy rights as some of the questions do get down to the ‘nitty-gritty’ details (including in essence, who was doing chores in the house, or looking after the kids, and for how many hours each week).  Despite the claims that no one should ever be forced to answer questions if they choose not to, the information collected from the long-form portion has been essential in determining socio-economic trends, such as the level of education and income in a certain geographic area.

With the introduction of this voluntary system, StatsCan is predicting a 50 per cent response rate from those who are selected to complete the long-form portion which those critiquing this new implementation say will hinder the ability of municipalities to determine and provide the necessary services.  Don McLeish, a professor in the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science at the University of Waterloo, not only believes that this year’s census will be “a bit of a flop,” but warns that the “information that’s obtained is no longer comparable with the 2006 information  on the long form.”

[pullquote]… the portions of Canada’s population, who rely more heavily on social services, will actually be less likely to choose to submit the long-portion if selected.[/pullquote]

Indeed, one of the main concerns about the voluntary option is that the portions of Canada’s population, who rely more heavily on social services, will actually be less likely to choose to submit the long-portion if selected.  Studies have concluded that people with lower levels of education and income also have lower response rates, which means that in a random sample where they can choose not to answer they’re going to be underweighted.  Not being proportionately represented in Canada’s census would logically lead to the concerns of the underweighted to possibly become neglected when social services are rendered, at least to some degree.

Overall, the decision to give Canadians the choice to answer the census has been welcomed by those who believe that we all have the right to choose to divulge our private information (without being charged with a criminal offense).  It’s also supported by those who lament the tediousness of filling out a questionnaire that, at times, can appear to ask unnecessary questions, because does the government really need to know how many hours I spent helping a senior citizen last week?  But this new option has definitely been getting negative feedback by those who actually utilize the data.  Hundreds of organizations and municipalities (including the Federation of Canadian Municipalities) have been highly critical of this change, believing the usefulness and accurate portrayal of Canadians from the census is going to be diminished.

Canada’s 2011 short-form—and mandatory—census was sent out across the country on May 2^nd already, while households will get to see if they’re the ‘lucky’ recipients of the long-form voluntary portion at the beginning of June.  It will, at the very least, be interesting to see the demographics of who deigned to answer the long-form portion and if they represent the correct proportions of Canada’s population as seen from the mandatory 2006 census.  If not, well this may mean that we might just have to get ready to find more ways to let the government know who needs help, what kind of help, as well as when and where they need it.

ARB Team
Arbitrage Magazine
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